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Re: [ZoCal] NTS2008
Never fear, At the Seattle NTS NWPZS was given a tiny space which was taken and crowded out by other occupants. After discussion with Chairman Dickerhoof we were given a large area in the center of the floor due to a cancellation. It can still be worked out as Randy suggests.
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Jim Glass Redmond, WA ----- Original Message -----
From: bobrnausa<mailto:bobrnausa@...> To: ZoCal@...<mailto:ZoCal@...> Sent: Monday, March 03, 2008 5:57 PM Subject: [ZoCal] NTS2008 First let me say I have no Idea how clubs or groups are selected for this show, but I know that for the NMRA smaller shows if the club or group are all NMRA members and the "club" is an NMRA club they have preference for space. I am a NMRA member as is my N Scale club. I was planning on attending this show. It will be my first one if I get to go. I was also looking forward to running z scale there. bobrnausa Mira Loma |
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Re: Need all the help possible, I've failed
chrisrobinathome
Your gallant efforts to get Z-Bend Track to the show and to get Z
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folks to participate have not gone unnoticed. Even by those of us who are sitting on the sideline. But the sideliners are cheering you on. Don't give up yet. Many RR clubs have probably overbooked space, so some space may open up. May I ask if any other Z clubs have applied for space seperately from Z Track? Another thought is that some of the California Z clubs recently had a good connection with the NMRA there. They, including BAZ, gave a wonderful presentation about Z to the NMRA Regional folks. Perhaps there is a personal contact with some of the NMRA members there that can be helpful in a plea for assistance to include Z-Bend Track at the convention. Can you imagine the disaster if N- Track were missing? Same for Z at a time of growth for this scale which can equate to a growth for the NMRA. Hooray for our team! Thanks, Robin --- In Z-Bend_Track@..., "Lajos Thek" <olaj@...> wrote:
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Re: Need all the help possible, I've failed
Dear Lajos:
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I am not a member of the NMRA, but you have my backing all the way. You have done everything you thought you needed to do, and you deserve credit for that. I cannot believe that the NMRA would cut you out completely. Hopefully, you will be able to get some space. I am sure there are enough people in California that would love to see some Z scale layouts. You have my blessing, and good luck. dave h. --- In Z-Bend_Track@..., "Lajos Thek" <olaj@...> wrote:
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Re: Need all the help possible, I've failed
im just a little Zscaler lajos we resvered are hotel and tickets we be flying in via frontier air staying jollyroger willing try help you much as can if you get the space.
Lajos Thek <olaj@...> wrote: I just got off the phone, and shaking. Our Z-Bend Track Module Collective has no reserved space at the NTS 2008 in Anaheim. We are on the top of the waiting list, but there is absolutely no guarantee to get in. I feel, it's my fault. I've tried to collect enough information to submit an honest reservation package, others acted faster and reserved all the space available. Unfortunately all the previous promises, even e-mails became "misunderstandings". I don't have the power to do anything. Help, help and lots of help needed. Lajos --------------------------------- Never miss a thing. Make Yahoo your homepage. |
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Re: Need all the help possible, I've failed
im just a little Zscaler lajos we resvered are hotel and tickets we be flying in via frontier air staying jollyroger willing try help you much as can if you get the space.
Lajos Thek <olaj@...> wrote: I just got off the phone, and shaking. Our Z-Bend Track Module Collective has no reserved space at the NTS 2008 in Anaheim. We are on the top of the waiting list, but there is absolutely no guarantee to get in. I feel, it's my fault. I've tried to collect enough information to submit an honest reservation package, others acted faster and reserved all the space available. Unfortunately all the previous promises, even e-mails became "misunderstandings". I don't have the power to do anything. Help, help and lots of help needed. Lajos --------------------------------- Looking for last minute shopping deals? Find them fast with Yahoo! Search. |
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Re: [Z_NTS2008] Need all the help possible, I've failed.
Let's keep the conversations focused in one group on this, preferably the
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Z_NTS2008 (I don't agree with you blasting to others...just prefer they all reply in this one). What can we do to help? Do I need to call in some of my Sicilian connections? John I just got off the phone, and shaking. Our Z-Bend Track Module |
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Need all the help possible, I've failed
I just got off the phone, and shaking. Our Z-Bend Track Module
Collective has no reserved space at the NTS 2008 in Anaheim. We are on the top of the waiting list, but there is absolutely no guarantee to get in. I feel, it's my fault. I've tried to collect enough information to submit an honest reservation package, others acted faster and reserved all the space available. Unfortunately all the previous promises, even e-mails became "misunderstandings". I don't have the power to do anything. Help, help and lots of help needed. Lajos |
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Domes Train show Pictures
Hi All
Domes Train show pictures are up on my website and Z Scale was front and center when you walked in just go to: then click the Shows & Expos button at the top of the page and click on the Domes Train show 2008 link or copy and paste this link: 20Galleries/Show%20&%20Expo%20Galleries/Train%20Show% 20Galleries/2008/Domes%20Train%20Show%202008.htm Kevin Hobby Crafts N More |
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New file uploaded to Z-Bend_Track
Hello,
This email message is a notification to let you know that a file has been uploaded to the Files area of the Z-Bend_Track group. File : /Anaheim '08/Anaheim'08.pdf Uploaded by : zthek <olaj@...> Description : 65' x 100' nothing, but Z You can access this file at the URL: To learn more about file sharing for your group, please visit: Regards, zthek <olaj@...> |
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Re: [ZoCal] Re: NTS: This is a big 65' x 100" space
Greg,
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We will truly like have to go wired at the NTS. There is too much interference and reliability to run wireless at a show. On top of this, NCE released a mod for the Cabs that now gives them super sensitivity so nearly ANY layout in the arena can now be heard by a cab. NCE has a Layout ID but that has not proven reliable at all (see NCE_DCC forum). Plus, all NCE systems are on the same frequency so if you've ever heard multiple radios keying up simultaniously, you'll know what I am talking about. Some other system(s), namely Digitrax's one-way wireless and those that run multi-frequency, can run more reliably at shows (with other layouts in proximity). We can certainly try it. Adding a repeater is easy. Our BAZ BoyZ modules are "near the end" of the first iteration of the module layout and can power say 20 - 30 modules. We can run the Command Bus to another NCE Command station to power another section for another 20-30 modules. A single base RB02 antenna is good for at least 20-30 modules but we can still use the RPT1's where ever. I can supply as much 6 conductor cable as we need and for the Cab bus, I have 100 ohm RS-485 cable so we can run it a long way compared to the flat cable if needed. I STRONGLY suggest that each group install a DCC UTP panel in at LEAST one of their modules AND on both sides. Any DCC user already has one or more on their modules. There should be an available UTP panel every 10' or 3 modules or so. Each panel will support 2 cabs and I will bring a couple of power supplies for the panels as the base station and wiring won't run more than 6 or so. For DC, each group should prepare a power supply that can be mounted on the side or in the module or, on a stand where it won't get knocked over; unless one is willing to hold it all day. We will need several of the power block adapters for the Outer track to connect to the power supplies. From the looks of the modules, I would say that there will be at LEAST 10 and closer to 20 possible power supplies. I have a lot of the D connectors and can make up these block adapters with 6' wire feeders. Jeff SF Bay Area Z ----- Original Message ----
From: Greg Elmassian <greg@...> To: ZoCal@... Sent: Saturday, February 2, 2008 6:42:44 AM Subject: RE: [ZoCal] Re: This is a big 65' x 100" space What抯 DC? I抦 not sure my NCE procab has a DC button. I think we should try to get all the way to DCC, watching people trying to stop trains at the Del Mar show because they were both running on the same voltage was funny. Just my 2 cents�. Also wireless control, I can bring a base station and 2 repeaters� Regards, Greg From: ZoCal@... [mailto:ZoCal@...] On Behalf Of Randall Smidt Sent: Friday, February 01, 2008 9:16 PM To: ZoCal@... Subject: Re: [ZoCal] Re: This is a big 65' x 100" space Just keep in mind that we will probably have in the neighborhood of 50 people working on the display. Keeping track of trains isn't all that hard. May have to relay location to the operators, but we've done it before. In Cincinnatti we had a space, I think, 75'x100' and things worked out fine. If you can choose speed matched locos or have blocked sidings available, you can run multiple trains even on DC tracks. We do it almsot every show. Randy Gary Hoffman <ghoffman@...> wrote: Lajos, I like the looks of what you are planning, but we also need to consider crowd control, or at least crowd flow. If we can move people around the layouts and past the table, that would be good. I'm concerned about making "people pockets" that trap visitors and prevent us from seeing or reaching disabled trains. Another observation: movement attracts attention. If we have a big layout and few trains, people have to wait too long to see something go by. I'm glad we're planning on DCC so we can have lots of trains running. But if the layout is too big, the engineer can lose sight of the trains he's controlling. Wireless DCC controllers help, but I think we've learned that we can't trust wireless at a show. At what point is a layout too big? Would two layouts be better than one in the same space? Inquiring minds are curious. Gary --- In ZoCal@yahoogroups. com, "Lajos Thek" <olaj@...> wrote:
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Z-Bend Track (ZBT) module wiring tester
For the upcoming National Train Show and, as a maintenance standard
for ZBT modules all over, Lajos Thek has proposed a module wiring tester. This will assure that all modules should be able to connect and run reliably. The tester will plug in to the ZBT connectors and check for: - connector wiring - wiring polarity - track polarity - seperate track feeders (no inner outer commons) - wiring integrity: *current capacity (resulting voltage drops) *track feeders & rail joiners (power to every piece of rail) Bob commmented the N track has such a box and will forward the info before we reinvent the wheel. The box would contain the Male and Female connectors, status LEDs, a voltage and current source and include test jacks for voltmeters to that connections to the module and rail are repeatable and quick. For DCC modules that contain electronic circuit breakers, a DCC power supply can be plugged into the same box (e.g. NCE Power Cab). and the same track tester (polarity and current) can be used. Jeff SF Bay Area Z "The BAZ BoyZ" |
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Fw: [ZoCal] Re: Tester
From: Jeff <sjbazman49@...>
To: ZoCal@... Sent: Monday, February 4, 2008 11:19:29 PM Subject: Re: [ZoCal] Re: Tester John's got the concept: a box with the 2 M/F D connectors and a red/black clip lead pair for polarity check andtroubleshooting. Use stadard banana jacks on the box and off-the-shelf VOM leads with interchangeable tips. This gives general cable connections and polarity. I prefer a basic continuity LED/tone and current fed option to test for wiring and track joiner quality. By pushing 100ma thru the wiring and measuring the voltage drop at the track, we can confirm a good connection at any point along the rail (obvious track sections and especially turn out segments). For DCC power track that includes circuit breakers, a different testing method is required at the track. End to End continuity and polarity can still be tested. For DCC to the track, we need a DCC power source (e.g Power Cab), a polarity LED (compares to the supply) and current load to again test for both voltage to the track and circuit breaker effectiveness, if used. Now, there are 3 pins for each of the main track and Acc connections (6 of those, 3 pins a piece). A 10 segment bar display could be used to show each of the 3 pin's connection if we really wanted to get crazy about testing a connector. Or, test only the middle pin of the 3 or . . . Jeff SF Bay Area Z ----- Original Message ---- From: Lajos Thek <olaj@...> To: ZoCal@... Sent: Monday, February 4, 2008 6:47:05 AM Subject: [ZoCal] Re: Tester --- In ZoCal@..., "Gary Hoffman" <ghoffman@...> wrote: Perfect! Now, if we want to test the plugs and sockets too, do we need a tester with two tails, or two testers? Lajos Yahoo! Groups Links |
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New file uploaded to Z-Bend_Track
Hello,
This email message is a notification to let you know that a file has been uploaded to the Files area of the Z-Bend_Track group. File : /Anaheim '08/Anaheim'08.pdf Uploaded by : zthek <olaj@...> Description : The 65' x 100' space You can access this file at the URL: To learn more about file sharing for your group, please visit: Regards, zthek <olaj@...> |
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This is a big 65' x 100" space
I need help. The space we're going to request at the Anaheim NTS 2008
is big. It's so big,ideas are more than welcome to fill it up. I've assembled a huge modular layout based on the preliminary information, also a nice size island made of tables for BYOZ layouts, a small "theatre" for clinics, etc... Still, the empty space need occupants. Or should we reduce our appetite? Lajos |
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Module idea area
David Lancaster
Greetings! I have started a new photo album for modules. I am using
some software called Tracklayer. It lets you design a track layout and then run trains on the layout. The switches switch and you can build trains to run. The picture I posted is a screen grab of my first modules. The red and green lights control the switches. There are two SF Dash-9s sitting on the siding. The software lets you connect different layouts together to run trains between layouts. I can generate different modules and then assemble them in any order. Then run trains from module to module. More module ideas to come. |
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Re: Thanks for the warm welcome!
Randall Smidt
Pat, from what Bryan told me, I missed you by about 15 minutes. Maybe next time. Sounds like you are making great progress.
Randy patrick_tansey <pjtansey1@...> wrote: Just wanted to thank the guys for such a warm welcome on my visit to Swann Avenue on Sunday to get some advice/tips/comments/suggestions on my newly started module. Specifically it was great to meet Art and Justin and again see Rob and Brian. Hopefully I can get the module in working order in the next month or two and actually make it to a train show this year (I'm currently targeting Fredericksburg). Thanks for all your suggestions and encouragement. Wish I could have stayed longer, and watched/helped your progress on the yard modules. I'll try to make it down there again, perhaps even before my kids go off to college ;-) Pat |
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Re: Thanks for the warm welcome!
Pat,
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It was great to finally get you over there for something other than a convention! Your progress on the module was fantastic, and you have us all anxious to see the next phase. By all means keep in touch with us through this list and let us know when you can make it back for another visit. Trust me, your kids will be sick of you long before they go to college......hehehe Stay in touch, Bryan ----- Original Message -----
From: "patrick_tansey" <pjtansey1@...> To: <Z-Bend_Track@...> Sent: Tuesday, January 08, 2008 11:43 AM Subject: [Z-Bend_Track] Thanks for the warm welcome! Just wanted to thank the guys for such a warm welcome on my visit to |
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